Sony's Best Mirrorless Camera Kit Now Fits in More of Your Pockets

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Sony's Best Mirrorless Camera Kit Now Fits in More of Your Pockets

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Photo: Sony

The much-loved Sony NEX-5R is being replaced by the smaller, NFC-enabled NEX-5T.

The new camera is an evolutionary step up from the mid-level 5R. It still uses the same Sony E-mount lens system. But the kit 16-50mm lens is half the size of the one found on the 5R. The power zoom SELP1650 lens measures about 1.2-inches when fully retracted, meaning this compact camera will be even more pocketable than its predecessor.

The tiny camera has an APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor that delivers 16.1 megapixels. That's the same size as many DSLRs, including Sony's new Alpha A3000. To help take those DSLR-quality photos, the LCD screen flips over the top of the camera for selfies and down for overhead photos. The screen has a touch-shutter function, or you can use your smartphone to control the camera.

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Photo: Sony

In fact, Sony is counting on you using this camera in conjunction with your smartphone. While the smartphone decimated the low-end point-and-shoot market, the mirrorless camera market is flourishing. To bring the smartphone and camera closer together, the company introduced NFC pairing between the camera and Android phones running Sony's PlayMemories Mobile app. Tapping the phone and camera together syncs the two. The actual connection is Wi-Fi, but NFC cuts down on launching and manually pairing a phone and the camera. Once paired a smartphone acts as a remote viewfinder and shutter. Pairing works on both iOS and Android.

Body wise, the camera is nearly identical to the 5R. Overall, it's an incremental update to a great camera that could certainly lure more photographers to the Sony mirrorless world. But unless you really like NFC and have a compatible Android phone, there's really no reason to upgrade from a 5R.

The NEX-5T is available in black, white, and silver for $700 with the SELP1650 kit lens. It's $550 for the body only, and will be available in early September.